You can still get a flu shot if you have a mild illness and no fever. A runny nose, mild cough or sore throat on its own may not be a reason to postpone vaccination.
Vaccination should be delayed if you have an acute febrile illness with a temperature of 38.5°C or above, or an acute systemic illness. Once the fever has settled and you are well enough, the vaccination provider can confirm when the flu shot can be given.
Cold-like symptoms can occur with influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, so symptoms such as a cough or blocked nose do not identify the cause on their own. Tell the vaccination provider what symptoms you have before the injection so they can assess whether vaccination should proceed that day.
Can You Get a Flu Shot When You Are Sick?
You can still get a flu shot if you are mildly unwell and do not have a fever or acute systemic illness. What matters most is how unwell you are on the day of vaccination.
| How you are feeling | What it means for your flu shot |
| Mild runny nose, cough or sore throat without fever | Vaccination can often proceed |
| Temperature 38.5°C or above | Vaccination should be postponed |
| Acute systemic illness | Wait until you have recovered |
| Unsure whether you are well enough | Speak with your GP, nurse or vaccination provider |
Tell the vaccination provider about any symptoms you have before the injection. They may also ask about previous vaccine reactions, allergies, pregnancy and other health conditions as part of the usual pre-vaccination screening.
Can You Get a Flu Shot If You Have a Cold?
A mild cold without fever is not normally a reason to delay a flu vaccination. Australian Government advice confirms that people with a minor illness and no fever can be vaccinated safely, while a major illness or fever is a reason to wait until you are well.
Cold symptoms may include:
- a runny or blocked nose
- a mild cough
- a mild sore throat
Having one of these symptoms does not tell you which respiratory infection is causing it. If your symptoms are mild and you have no fever or acute systemic illness, tell the vaccination provider how you are feeling so they can decide whether the flu shot can proceed.
When Should You Delay a Flu Shot Because You Are Sick?
You should delay a flu shot if you have an acute febrile illness with a temperature of 38.5°C or above, or an acute systemic illness. Australian pre-vaccination screening guidance recommends waiting until you are no longer febrile before vaccination goes ahead.
Vaccination is postponed during acute illness for two practical reasons:
- to avoid an adverse event occurring while you are already unwell
- to avoid confusing symptoms of the illness with symptoms that appear after vaccination
Once you have recovered and vaccination can proceed, knowing the expected flu shot side effects and aftercare can help you understand what you may experience after the injection.
Can You Get a Flu Shot With a Fever?
A temperature of 38.5°C or above is a reason to postpone a flu vaccination. The Australian Immunisation Handbook advises waiting until you are no longer febrile before vaccination proceeds.
Australian guidance does not set a standard 24-hour, 48-hour or one-week waiting period after a fever. Once the fever has settled and you are feeling better, the vaccination provider can assess whether the flu shot can be given.
Do not rely on fever-reducing medicine simply to meet the temperature threshold for vaccination. If you have had a fever or are still unwell on the day of your appointment, tell the vaccination provider before the injection.
Can You Get a Flu Shot With a Cough or Sore Throat?
A mild cough or sore throat without fever or acute systemic illness may not require your flu vaccination to be delayed. The Australian Immunisation Handbook allows vaccination during minor illness when there are no acute systemic symptoms or signs.
A cough or sore throat can occur with a cold, influenza, COVID-19 or another respiratory infection, so these symptoms alone do not show what illness you have. The vaccination provider will consider how you are feeling on the day before deciding whether the flu shot can proceed.
If you have respiratory symptoms before your appointment, contact the clinic first. You may still be suitable for vaccination, but the clinic may have separate arrangements for patients attending with cough, cold or other respiratory symptoms.
Can You Get a Flu Shot After COVID-19 or Another Illness?
You do not need to wait a set number of days after COVID-19 before getting a flu shot. Current Australian influenza vaccination advice says you can receive the vaccine once you are feeling well and have no fever.
After influenza or another respiratory illness, wait until the fever has settled and you are no longer acutely unwell. There is no fixed recovery period that applies to everyone, so the timing of vaccination should reflect how you are feeling when the appointment comes around.
If illness has delayed your vaccination, knowing how long flu vaccine protection lasts can help you plan when to book once you have recovered.
Can a Child Get a Flu Shot With a Cold?
A child with a minor cough or cold and no fever can still receive a flu vaccination. Australian childhood immunisation advice says babies and children with minor coughs and colds without fever can be vaccinated, while a child who is very unwell with a high fever should wait until they are better.
Before the appointment, tell the vaccination provider if your child has:
- a current fever
- a cough, runny nose or sore throat
- recently been unwell
- symptoms that are getting worse or are more than a mild cold
A temperature of 38.5°C or above or a more serious illness is a reason to delay vaccination until the child has recovered. If you are unsure whether your child is well enough for the flu shot, speak with the GP, nurse or vaccination provider before attending.
Does Being Sick Make the Flu Vaccine Unsafe?
A minor illness without fever does not make a flu vaccination unsafe. The Australian Immunisation Handbook allows vaccination when an illness is minor and there are no acute systemic symptoms or signs.
Being acutely febrile or systemically unwell is different from having a vaccine contraindication. In these situations, the vaccination is delayed until you are well enough to proceed rather than ruled out altogether.
A true contraindication can include anaphylaxis after a previous dose of the relevant vaccine or anaphylaxis to one of its components. These situations need further medical assessment before another dose is considered.
Should You Contact the Clinic Before Your Flu Vaccination?
Contact the clinic before your appointment if you have a fever, significant illness or respiratory symptoms and are unsure whether your flu vaccination should go ahead. Staff can advise whether you should attend as planned, reschedule or follow any current arrangements for patients with respiratory symptoms.
Before the vaccine is given, the provider may ask about your current illness, allergies, previous vaccine reactions and other relevant health information. This is part of the usual process for GP vaccination appointments.
It is worth calling before attending if:
- You have a temperature of 38.5°C or above
- Your symptoms have become worse since you booked
- You are recovering from an illness and are unsure whether to proceed
- Your child is unwell on the day
- You have a cough, cold or other respiratory symptoms
Can You Have a Flu Shot While Pregnant and Unwell?
Pregnancy is not a reason to delay a flu vaccination. Influenza vaccination is recommended during every pregnancy and can be given at any stage of pregnancy.
If you are mildly unwell and do not have a fever, the flu shot may still be given. If you are febrile or acutely unwell, vaccination should wait until you have recovered enough to proceed.
Tell the vaccination provider about any current illness before the injection so they can confirm whether the appointment should go ahead that day.
Why Is the Flu Vaccine Recommended Every Year?
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over in Australia. Most people need one flu vaccine each year, although some children and people in specific clinical situations may need a different schedule.
Having influenza or another respiratory illness earlier in the year does not replace the recommendation for the current seasonal flu vaccine. Influenza vaccines are updated for each season to match the strains expected to circulate.
If illness caused you to miss your planned vaccination, speak with your vaccination provider about booking once you have recovered.
What Should You Tell the Vaccination Provider Before the Flu Shot?
Tell the vaccination provider if you are unwell on the day of your appointment, even if the symptoms are mild. As part of pre-vaccination screening, they may ask about your current health and anything else that could affect whether the vaccine should be given that day.
Mention if you have:
- a fever or recent fever
- a cough, sore throat or other respiratory symptoms
- recently recovered from an infection
- severe allergies or a previous serious vaccine reaction
- a chronic health condition or treatment that affects immunity
- a current pregnancy
You do not need to work out for yourself whether your symptoms mean the flu shot should be delayed. Give the provider the relevant information and they can confirm whether vaccination can proceed or should be rescheduled.
Arrange Your Flu Vaccination Appointment
If you are unwell on the day of your flu vaccination, contact the clinic before attending. Staff can let you know whether the appointment should go ahead, be rescheduled or follow a different attendance process.
Smith Street Medical offers influenza vaccination appointments across its clinics. View the current Smith Street Medical clinic locations and contact your preferred clinic to confirm vaccine availability or discuss any symptoms before your booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a flu shot when sick?
A minor illness without fever does not usually prevent vaccination. Delay the flu shot if you have an acute febrile illness at 38.5°C or above or acute systemic illness.
Can you get a flu shot if you have a cold?
A mild cold without fever is not usually a reason to postpone vaccination. Tell the provider about your symptoms before the injection.
Can you get a flu shot with a runny nose?
A mild runny nose without fever may still allow vaccination to proceed. Mention any other symptoms before the flu shot.
Can you get a flu shot with a cough?
A mild cough without fever or acute systemic illness may not require a delay. Contact the clinic first if you have respiratory symptoms.
Can you get a flu shot with a fever?
A temperature of 38.5°C or above is a reason to postpone vaccination until you are no longer febrile.
Can you get a flu shot after COVID-19?
There is no set waiting period after COVID-19. You can receive the flu vaccine once you feel well and have no fever.
Can a child get a flu shot with a cold?
A child with a minor cough or cold and no fever can still be vaccinated. Fever or a more serious illness is a reason to wait.
Should I cancel my flu shot if I feel sick?
Mild illness without fever does not always require cancellation. Contact the clinic if you have a fever, significant symptoms or are unsure whether to attend.
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